Poke-through floor fitting with thermally activated conductor links

Abstract

A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting for use within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle with electrical conductors or wires traveling the length of the fitting. The conductors have thermally activated conductor links. Upon exposure to excessive heat, the links stop the transfer of heat through the conductors. The links can take various forms, including being formed from low melt material or with a spring loading that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/datajacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A fitting for being positioned between first and second surfaces in a floor, comprising: 
       an electrical outlet;  
       a main portion coupled to said outlet and extending away from said outlet;  
       an electrical conductor coupled to said outlet and extending from said outlet and along said main portion, said electrical conductor having a first portion, a second portion, and a thermally activated fuse element between said first and second portions, said fuse element conducting electricity and heat in an operating position and prohibiting the flow of electricity and heat in an open position; and  
       an insulation material substantially surrounding said fuse element;  
       said fuse element being at least partially received between the first and second surfaces of the floor.  
     
     
       2. A fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said fuse element includes a fuse material having a lower melting point than said first and second portions.  
     
     
       3. A fitting according to  claim 2 , wherein 
       said fuse material is a tin and zinc alloy.  
     
     
       4. A fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said fuse element includes a resilient biasing member.  
     
     
       5. A fitting according to  claim 4 , wherein 
       said resilient biasing member is a spring.  
     
     
       6. A fitting according to  claim 4 , wherein 
       said fuse element includes a fuse material having a lower melting point than  
       said first and second portions.  
     
     
       7. A fitting according to  claim 6 , wherein 
       said fuse material is a tin and zinc alloy.  
     
     
       8. A fitting according to  claim 7 , wherein 
       said fuse material is surrounded by a non-conductive material.  
     
     
       9. A fitting according to  claim 8 , wherein 
       said resilient biasing member is a spring.  
     
     
       10. A poke-through floor fitting, the combination comprising: 
       an electrical receptacle supporting a plurality of electrical outlets thereon;  
       an electrically and thermally conductive conductor extending from and coupled to each of said plurality of electrical outlets;  
       an intumescent fire barrier; and  
       a thermal link located in series with each of said conductors, said thermal link conducting electricity and heat along said conductor below a certain temperature and discontinuing to conduct electricity and heat along said conductor above said certain temperature;  
       said thermal link being at least partially received within said intumescent fire barrier.  
     
     
       11. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 10 , wherein 
       said certain temperature is the melting point of said thermal link.  
     
     
       12. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 10 , wherein 
       said plurality of electrical outlets comprises greater than three outlets,  
       said conductors comprises greater than three conductors, and  
       said thermal links comprises greater than three thermal links.  
     
     
       13. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 12 , wherein 
       said conductors comprises six conductors, and  
       said thermal links comprises six thermal links.  
     
     
       14. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 10 , wherein 
       the floor has a three inch hole therein, and  
       said receptacle is received in said three inch hole.  
     
     
       15. A poke-through floor fitting for insertion in an aperture in a floor having upper and lower surfaces, comprising: 
       an electrical outlet;  
       an electrical wire extending from said electrical outlet to a power source, said electrical wire having a first portion and a second portion; and  
       a thermally activated fuse element crimped to each of said first and second portions, said fuse element conducting electricity and heat in an operating position and prohibiting the flow of electricity and heat in an open position;  
       said fuse element being at least partially received between the upper and lower surfaces of the floor.  
     
     
       16. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said fuse element is rod shaped.  
     
     
       17. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       insulation substantially surrounds said fuse element.  
     
     
       18. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 17 , wherein 
       said insulation is shrink wrap.  
     
     
       19. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said fuse element includes a resilient biasing member.  
     
     
       20. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said fuse element electrically couples said first portion to said second portion.  
     
     
       21. A fitting for insertion in an aperture in a floor, comprising: 
       an electrical outlet;  
       a main portion coupled to said outlet and extending away from said outlet and having an intumescent fire barrier; and  
       an electrical conductor coupled to said outlet and extending from said outlet and along said main portion, said electrical conductor having a first portion, a second portion, and a thermally activated fuse element between said first and second portions, said fuse element conducting electricity and heat in an operating position and prohibiting the flow of electricity and heat in an open position;  
       said fuse element being at least partially received within said intumescent fire barrier.  
     
     
       22. A fitting according to  claim 21 , wherein 
       said fuse element is substantially fully received within said intumescent fire barrier.  
     
     
       23. A poke-through floor fitting for insertion in an aperture in a floor having an upper and a lower surface, the combination comprising: 
       an electrical receptacle supporting a plurality of electrical outlets thereon;  
       an electrically and thermally conductive conductor extending from and coupled to each of said plurality of electrical outlets and extending into the aperture in the floor; and  
       a thermal link located in at least some of said conductors, each of said thermal links conducting electricity and heat there along below a certain temperature and discontinuing to conduct electricity and heat there along above said certain temperature,  
       said thermal links being at least partially received between the upper and lower surfaces of the floor.  
     
     
       24. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 23 , wherein 
       said thermal links are located in each of said conductors.  
     
     
       25. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 24 , wherein 
       said thermal links are completely received between the upper and lower surfaces of the floor.  
     
     
       26. A poke-through floor fitting according to  claim 23 , wherein 
       said thermal links are completely received between the upper and lower surfaces of the floor.